Takedown Report

International Wrestling News (2021) – # 3

TDR Editor’s Notes ; A belated update on stories that involve USA wrestlers or international wrestlers they compete against. Stories from France, Iran, India, Japan and around the world before returning home to the USA. Explore and Keep on wrestling.
E-mail us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1 } – QUALIFYING PROCEDURES SET FOR 2021 SENIOR WORLDS, 2021 PAN AM CHAMPIONSHIPS AND 2021 ROME RANKING EVENT
By Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling | Dec. 16, 2020, 1:03 p.m. (ET)USA Wrestling has finalized and posted the Qualification and Procedures in all three Olympic disciplines for three major Senior-level international events in 2021.
These events include:
• 2021 Senior World Championships, Oslo, Norway, October 2-10
• 2021 Pan American Championships, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 27-30
• 2021 Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series event, Rome, Italy, January 14-17
Each of these documents were developed by the appropriate Sport Committees (Men’s Freestyle, Greco-Roman, Women’s Freestyle) and have been approved by USA Wrestling’s Executive Committee. All nine of the procedures can be viewed on TheMat.com, in the Team USA section at: https://www.teamusa.org/usa-wrestling/team-usa/team-selection-criteria
2021 Senior World Championships summary
In all three styles, any 2020 Tokyo Olympian who wins a medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in August 2021, will have the right to compete at the 2021 World Championships at the same weight class. The 2021 Olympic medalist must declare their intent to compete by August 15, 2021. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/December/16/Procedures-posted-for-2021-Worlds-Pan-Ams-and-Rome-Ranking-events?mc_cid=4edc48d477&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

2 } – ‘Dangal’ at Ghazipur border to honour protesters
Tribune News Service New Delhi, January 10
The sun was out and so was the wrestling mat at the Ghazipur protest site today. Young grapplers from the Capital and surrounding areas showed up in hundreds to bring a smile to the faces of protesting farmers sitting there for over a month now. “We are sons of farmers so how can we not support their cause. This is our way of joining the protest against the laws,” said 17-year-old Adi, who trains at the famous Guru Hanuman Akhada in Delhi.
As a token of respect to farmers, a wrestling event titled ‘Kisan Kesari Dangal’ was organised at the protest site today. A special wrestling mat, the one used by Olympic wrestlers, was sourced from Guru Chandagi Ram Akhada. The slogans of “Sada haq, itthe rakh’ and ‘Kisan ekta zindabad’preceded every bout. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/dangal-at-ghazipur-border-to-honour-protesters-196757?mc_cid=01186bea70&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

3 } – After rematch, Burroughs and Taylor ready to focus on Tokyo Games
Jordan Burroughs and David Taylor might not know how to ballroom dance, but they sure know how to ballroom brawl. The highly anticipated rematch fell in the favor of Taylor on Wednesday at the Flowrestling: Burroughs vs. Taylor match at Embassy Suites in Lincoln. Burroughs dropped the match 4-4 on criteria, after previously defeating Taylor in both 2013 and 2014 at the U.S. Open and twice in 2014 at the U.S. World Team Trials.
Taylor bested the former Husker and Olympic gold medalist for the first time, and has become one of the biggest names in the wrestling world. Taylor sat out almost the entirety of the 2019 freestyle season due to injury after recording a world championship at 86 kilograms (189 pounds) in 2018. Burroughs jumped up to the 86-kilo weight class after normally wrestling 73 kilos (163 pounds). … rest of story at _{^{https://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/wrestling/after-rematch-burroughs-and-taylor-ready-to-focus-on-tokyo-games/article_aec5c25f-bd0e-513b-8bc3-5d8407caa9f8.html?mc_cid=985ebae38c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

4 } – Oborududu, others strike gold in ‘Champion Of Champions’ tourney
Oborududu shows her class at ‘Champion of Champions’ wrestling tournament
Blessing Oborududu displayed sheer dominance and supremacy to clinch gold at the Baraza Champion of Champions tournament in Yenagoa on Sunday, brushing aside her opponents in emphatic fashion on a day Aminat Adeniyi, Ekerekeme Agiomor and Soso Taramau also dazzled their way to the top prize in their respective weight classes. Commonwealth champion Oborududu showed why she is the No. 2 ranked wrestler in the world in the 68kg class with a ruthless 11-0 technical superiority win against two-time African champion Hannah Reuben in her first bout, before similarly overpowering Biogos Ebi 10-0. The 10-time African champion needed just two minutes to subdue Rachel Eke of Ondo State 12-0 via superiority to land the coveted gold medal. Afterwards, she could not hide her excitement following her return to competition for the first time in almost a year. “I want to really appreciate God for giving me the strength to wrestle today,” … rest of story at _{^{https://www.premiumtimesng.com/sports/nigeria-sports-news/437179-wrestling-oborududu-others-strike-gold-in-champion-of-champions-tourney.html?mc_cid=0d6ab523a2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

5 } – SNYDER, DAKE, DIAKOMIHALIS AND SURIANO WIN GOLD, FOUR OTHERS EARN MEDALS AT HENRI DEGLANE GRAND PRIX
NICE, France – The USA continued to roll on day two of the Henri Deglane Grand Prix as four men’s freestylers were crowned champs and four others claimed medals on Saturday in Nice, France. Winning gold for the USA was 2016 Olympic champion Kyle Snyder at 97 kg, two-time World champion Kyle Dake at 74 kg, National Team member Yianni Diakomihalis at 65 kg and Nick Suriano at 57 kg. Other medals came from James Green, Thomas Gilman, Zahid Valencia and Nick Gwiazdowski.

Back in action at 97 kg, Snyder, also a two-time World champion, went through round-robin action before making his way to the finals. In his round robin matches, he defeated Erik Thiele of Germany, 11-1; Radoslaw Baran of Poland, 9-2; and Radu Lefter of Moldova, 11-0. The wins put him in the semifinals, where he was slated to face past World champ and Olympic bronze medalist Sharif Sharifov in a rematch of the 2019 World semifinals, which Sharifov won. However, the Azeri forfeited the bout, sending Snyder to the finals. There, he dominated 2018 U23 World champion Givi Matcharashvili of Georgia for the gold, 13-2. Two-time World champion Dake was impressive at 74 kg, ending all of his matches early to cruise to gold. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/January/16/MFS-Henri-Deglane-recap?mc_cid=80454f9eb5&mc_eid=%5B2ef7cbca4b%5D}}
AND FOUR Marines Place 5th At Henri Deglane GP In France
On Sunday, the United States was able to field a sizable roster at an international event for the first time in ten months. Eight total athletes.  Seven members of the All-Marine Wrestling Team plus two-time World Teamer Patrick Smith (77 kg, Minnesota Storm, 5PM #1). Among the group, not counting Smith and just within the Marines, were five National Team representatives. But for all of the delegation’s substantial firepower brought to bear, the 2021 Henri Deglane Grand Prix in Nice, France was much more about regaining lost match time than it was collecting hardware. That isn’t to say victory all of the sudden ceased as a principle objective. They don’t fly thousands of miles to merely step on scales and go home. It is more that the wrestlers have required different inputs from outside of their respective practice rooms, and one way to get that done was to hop over to France and pick a fight. … rest of story at _{^{http://www.fivepointmove.com/usa-greco/grand-prix-france-usa-results/?mc_cid=ad63827ef7&mc_eid=%5B2ef7cbca4b%5D}}

6 } – In COVID-19 era, former Gophers wrestler Pat Smith juggles need for competition and compliance
Preparing for the U.S. Olympic trials has been complicated enough. Now he must master testing and masking rules as he travels abroad to train and for tournaments.  It can be hard for Minnesotans to keep up with the state’s COVID-19 regulations, which have shifted and changed throughout the pandemic. Multiply that by four or five, and you’ll get a taste of what Pat Smith is trying to decipher. The former Gopher from Chaska is resuming his globe-hopping ways, heading to Europe as he pursues an Olympic berth in Greco-Roman wrestling. 
… rest of story at _{^{https://www.startribune.com/in-covid-19-era-former-gophers-wrestler-pat-smith-juggles-need-for-competition-and-compliance/600010690/?mc_cid=985ebae38c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b&refresh=true}}

7 } – Where the Dogs are Buried: When New Japan Introduced Us to Soviet Wrestling and the World’s Greatest Freestyle System
“That’s where the dog is buried.”
—Russian phrase used when one finally uncovers the truth about something or gets to the crux of a problem or issue.
The Soviets had long established their dominance over Olympic sports, but by the winter of 1988, the Soviet Union had found itself in deep economic trouble. The Kremlin was inevitably forced to lease out its incredibly successful sports programs to foreign nations for exhibition games to generate funds.  Showcasing their superior athletes in foreign countries not only allowed the USSR to bring in revenue, but also allowed Russia to use its competitors to propagate the idea that the Soviet system created world-class athletes. The first to take the Kremlin up on their offer was Antonio Inoki and New Japan Pro Wrestling. 1988 was not a successful year for NJPW at the box office. A year after the famed Ganryujima Island fight between Inoki and Masa Saito, the company was in need of a new direction. 1989 would provide New Japan with some of Inoki’s most successful experiments, … rest of story at _{^{https://fightgamemedia.com/2021/01/where-the-dogs-are-buried-when-new-japan-introduced-us-to-soviet-wrestling-and-the-worlds-greatest-freestyle-system/?mc_cid=36a2e0aa41&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

8 } – Morrow & Nutter Provide Update From LOG Winter Camp
NORTHERN MICHIGAN
For Austin Morrow (67 kg, NYAC/NTS, 5PM #10) and 2019 Junior World bronze Alston Nutter (Sunkist/NTS), the ongoing January camp at Legends of Gold in Beresford, South Dakota marks the return of a familiar feeling: team chemistry.
There are other factors involved, too, such as the litany of tough and talented athletes at their disposal with whom they are sharing mat space. That helps. But Northern Michigan University grad Morrow — who still lives and trains in Marquette — and current student Nutter had not been able to function in a normal setting in quite some time prior to their respective arrivals in SD. For one thing, practices at NMU were put on hold towards the end of the fall semester due to various COVID-related reasons. In Morrow’s case, an injury that required repair and recovery served to put a damper on training concerns, though he is now rounding back into form at an increasing rate. This is wrestling in the US at the moment. One step forward, two steps back; two steps forward, one step back. NMU’s National Training Site, the largest … rest of story at _{^{http://www.fivepointmove.com/northern-michigan-university-greco-roman/morrow-nutter-winter-camp/?mc_cid=36a2e0aa41&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

9} – SICK! Living MMA Releases Zagreb 2021 Highlight Video
Living MMA, the Slovenian-based film company known for producing wrestling and martial arts videos, is back with a new clip featuring highlights from this past weekend’s Grand Prix Zagreb Open in Croatia. American Joe Rau (87 kg, TMWC/IRTC, world #7, 5PM #2) went 2-2 in the tournament, good for fifth place. Rau remains in Croatia for training camp along with fellow two-time US World Team member Patrick Smith (77 kg, Minnesota Storm, 5PM #1). As usual, the video below puts on display much of the offensive might associated with top-level Greco-Roman competition — which is why Zagreb’s annual event has grown in status over the past quadrennium. Nearly a dozen prior World/Olympic medalists participated in the tournament, including two-time World Champion/multi-time … rest of story at _{^{http://www.fivepointmove.com/usa-greco/sick-living-mma-releases-zagreb-2021-highlight-video/?mc_cid=36a2e0aa41&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

10 } – WCL withdraws from Henri Deglane Grand Prix
NICE, France – Due to the escalating COVID-19 situation and new protocols put in place, Wrestling Canada Lutte (WCL) was forced to withdraw its team from the Henri Deglane Grand Prix de France. “There were a series of last-minute restrictions put in place which couldn’t have been foreseen that made this trip impossible,” said WCL High Performance Director Lúcás Ó’Ceallacháin. “Travelling safely is our top priority, and we want to put our athletes in the best possible situation to perform.” WCL was going to send seven athletes to the event. Sam Stewart, Diana Weicker, Tianna Kennett, Jessica Brouillette, Michelle Fazzari, Olivia Di Bacco, and Clayton Pye were unable to make the trip to France to compete. … rest of story at _{^{https://wrestling.ca/wcl-withdraws-from-henri-deglane-grand-prix/?mc_cid=01186bea70&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}
AND WCL cancels 2021 Championship events
OTTAWA – Wrestling Canada Lutte (WCL) has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 Junior / Senior Canadian Championships and the U17 / U19 Canadian Championships & Cadet Trials, citing continued concerns for health and safety of all participants. In addition, the 2021 Canada Cup will not be run as an international event. The 2021 Junior / Senior Canadian Championships was scheduled for March 19 to 21 in London, Ont., and the U17 / U19 Canadian Championships & Cadet Trials was set for March 26 to 28, 2021 in Edmonton. WCL utilized a COVID contingency planning framework to help inform the decision-making process for event hosting for 2021. … rest of story at _{^{https://wrestling.ca/wcl-cancels-2021-championship-events/?mc_cid=9a695e9aca&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}
AND WCL mourns the loss of Mario Saletnig
It is with great sadness that Wrestling Canada Lutte announces the passing of Mr. Mario Saletnig. Mr. Saletnig was a great builder of the sport, as both an official and administrator, in Canada and internationally. He served as President of the Canadian Officials Association, and was a referee at four Olympic Games and 25 World Championships, as well as other numerous Continental Championships and Games. In addition to his work as a referee, Mr. Saletnig was elected to the FILA (now United World Wrestling) Bureau in 1986, became a FILA instructor for 23 years, and served as FILA Vice President from 2000 to 2010.
Mr. Saletnig was President of Wrestling Canada Lutte and served as a Chef de Mission for the Canadian Commonwealth Games Association at the 1986 Commonwealth Games. He was Wrestling Canada’s Vice President, International from 1986 to 2010. In 1999, Mario Saletnig was inducted to the Wrestling Canada Hall of Fame in the Builder Category, and in 2012 he was named to the FILA Hall of Fame. … rest of story at _{^{https://wrestling.ca/wcl-mourns-the-loss-of-mario-saletnig/?mc_cid=ad63827ef7&mc_eid=%5B2ef7cbca4b%5D}}

11 } – Monday Roundup: Vera Official For ‘Last Chance’; Big Weekend; Age-Group Showcase
Late last week, Alan Vera (87 kg, NYAC, 5PM #1) received his official United States passport, thereby granting him, among many other things, full eligibility to enter the Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier later this spring. It had been a painstaking process lasting over four years. In March 2016, Vera was a member of Cuba’s delegation for the pair of Pan-American events hosted in Frisco, TX. He defected right then and there before eventually settling just outside of New York City. Competitions were sparse throughout the next few seasons, and mainly limited to appearances in the Bill Farrell Memorial. During this time, the pieces were being put in place. Vera required the completion of several steps with regard to immigration procedures, a cumbersome and oft confusing labyrinth of paperwork to those unfamiliar. … rest of story at _{^{http://www.fivepointmove.com/greco-wrestling-news/vera-zagreb-age-group-duals/?mc_cid=01186bea70&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

12 } – Iran’s regime to execute another champion wrestler
“The Olympic Committee has as yet refused to take any serious actions against the regime in Tehran for its bloody assault against athletes.”
The Iranian state’s opaque judiciary is slated to execute a second champion wrestler after it engaged in the widely criticized wrongful hanging of Greco-Roman wrestler Navid Afkari in September for his role in protesting regime corruption.Mehdi Ali Hosseini, 29, from the city of Andimeshk in the province of Khuzestan, was arrested in 2015 and charged with murder during a group brawl.His execution is imminent, according to family members cited on the Persian-language website of Deutsche Welle, a German state-owned international broadcaster.The victim’s family has not agreed to pardon the athlete for alleged murder, the DW website reported. … rest of story at https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/irans-regime-to-execute-another-champion-wrestler-654854?mc_cid=a7ee94d0b8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
AND US, UK officials want EU and Olympics to stop execution of Iran wrestler
Lord John Mann asked “Where is the International Olympic Committee and world wrestling on this? (among others!)”
Mounting pressure from British and American officials along with Iranian human rights groups on the International Olympic Committee and United World Wrestling has on Tuesday sparked a reaction from the powerful sports organizations after days of silence about the pending execution of a second decorated Iranian wrestler.”The Iranian regime must be held to account for their vile human rights abuses and their attempt to cling to power through execution,” Ellie Cohanim, the State Department’s deputy special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, told The Jerusalem Post. … rest of story at https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/us-uk-officials-want-eu-and-olympics-to-stop-execution-of-iran-wrestler-655185?mc_cid=7d0bae3ce9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
AND U.W.W. Statement Regarding Mehdi Ali Hosseini
United World Wrestling was made aware of the Mehdi Ali Hosseini case on 9 January 2021 through media reports. We are currently still gathering information. At this stage, it appears that this a criminal case only, with no sports-related background. So far, we have learned from the Iranian Wrestling Federation that Mehdi Ali Hosseini was a regional level wrestler, who did not participate in national or international level competitions. United World Wrestling will not comment on this case before it has a clear picture of the situation.
AND Iranian Wrestling Federation vice-president calls for execution of Hosseini to be prevented
Iranian Wrestling Federation vice-president Hamid Sourian has called for the planned execution of wrestler Mehdi Ali Hosseini to be prevented.
According to The Jerusalem Post, Iranian wrestler Hosseini is due to be executed after being found guilty of murder.  He had reportedly been arrested in 2015 and charged with murder during a group brawl. The execution is expected to be imminent as the victim’s family has not agreed to pardon Hosseini for the alleged crime.  Sourian, a London 2012 Olympic gold medallist in the Greco-Roman 55 kilogram division, has pleaded with the family to prevent Hosseini’s execution from taking place. … rest of the story at _{^{https://www.insidethegames.biz/index.php/articles/1102914/calls-to-stop-execution-of-hosseini?mc_cid=7d0bae3ce9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

February 17, 2021 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized